Extreme Rules Digitals || Extreme Rules Screen Captures

Randy Orton def. Big Show
The Viper, Randy Orton, delivered a truly hardcore bite in front of his hometown crowd, triumphing over an irate Big Show in an Extreme Rules Match at the tumultuous pay-per-view of the same name.

As the action got under way, Big Show asserted his dominance, taking two different Kendo sticks from his serpentine opponent and breaking them over his knee. The Viper roared back, utilizing the steel ring post against the giant. But when Orton tried to follow up with a ladder attack, Big Show kicked back the rungs with his larger-than-life boot.

Using his massive size to his advantage, Big Show took charge, eventually propping up the ladder on top of two chairs and then setting Orton on top of the mountain of steel. But when Big Show tried to drop at Orton from the second rope, Orton moved, sending his adversary crashing onto the excruciating concoction. In spite of this, when Orton hit the follow-up RKO, Big Show kicked out!

WWE’s Apex Predator unleashed a brutal chair assault, but Big Show countered with the spear. Despite that, Orton came back yet again, hitting a second RKO onto the steel chair! When that miraculously wasn’t enough to beat the giant, The Viper finally finished off his gigantic prey with a punt to the head for the three-count.

The fuse was lit on the personal showdown between WWE’s Apex Predator and the giant when — after vouching for Big Show in the Six-Man Tag Team Match against The Shield at WrestleMania — The World’s Largest Athlete KO Punched Orton and his other partner Sheamus just seconds after they fell short of a Show of Shows victory. Big Show blamed the loss to “The Hounds of Justice” on both Orton and The Celtic Warrior. Orton believed, however, that because he pushed for the gigantic Superstar to be part of the team in the first place, it was his responsibility to pay his attacker back in full.

In the weeks that followed, the nine-time World Champion fell prey to numerous attacks by The World’s Largest Athlete. Never to be outdone, though, The Viper struck back, most recently scoring a giant-size tag team victory over Big Show, Mark Henry & Jack Swagger on SmackDown — paving the way for their volatile Extreme Rules Match where disqualifications and count-outs would not be an option.

Wrestlemania XXIX Digitals || Wrestlemania XXIX Screen Captures

The Shield def. Randy Orton, Big Show & Sheamus
Whether the WWE Universe believes in The Shield’s vision of justice, there’s no denying the notorious trio made a lasting impression when it counted most, at The Showcase of the Immortals Sunday night. Facing a trifecta of former World Champions, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns defeated Big Show, Sheamus & Randy Orton in the official opening bout of WrestleMania 29.

Judging by the bout’s wild aftermath, in which Big Show knocked out both of his tag team partners, the loss was much more than simply a passing setback from WWE’s newest super-team, whose partnership — despite having been built on a rocky foundation — appeared to be strengthening in recent weeks.

Before the opening bell, The Shield made their trademark entrance through the WWE Universe, carving a path through the packed MetLife Stadium floor and its thousands of passionate WWE Universe members. As soon as the contest officially began, however, Sheamus wasted no time bringing the fight to Reigns, with the two sluggers exchanging huge strikes.

The Celtic Warrior and WWE’s Apex Predator displayed sound teamwork, making quick tags and double-teaming Rollins. Once The World’s Largest Athlete tagged into the bout, he ripped off Ambrose’s black protective vest and brought down giant-sized chops on his bare chest.

With speed as their advantage, though, The Shield contingent managed to take control. Rapid-fire tags enabled the trio to employ their “pack of dogs” strategy of working over the 7-footer. Despite their precision strikes, Big Show created separation, regained his vertical position and tagged in Sheamus. At that point, Rollins became the next Shield soldier to lose his vest, as The Celtic Warrior tore it off and battered Rollins’ upper body with 10 tree-trunk forearm blasts.

The action ratcheted up further as all the match combatants brawled at ringside, crescendoing with a reckless suicide dive by Rollins that did nearly as much damage to its executor as it did its intended target, Orton. A Triple Powerbomb on Sheamus then appeared imminent, but it was broken up by a massive spear from Big Show, whose lengthy wingspan enabled him to take out all three members of The Shield at once.

After a slow recovery, Sheamus crept toward his corner but his outstretched hand — which was slated for a tag to an anxious Big Show — was intercepted by The Viper who tagged Sheamus’ head. Disgruntled, Big Show stood by on the apron and watched while Orton took care of the opposition, which included RKO’ing Rollins, who soared off the top rope. Orton, paying attention to the downed Ambrose, was then caught by surprise with a Reigns spear and pinned by Ambrose.

After the pinfall, a visibly disappointed Big Show blamed Orton, screaming “You blew it!” Then, in the blink of an eye, he delivered KO Punches to Sheamus and Orton. Although Big Show’s pair of hellish strikes has almost assuredly caused Orton to regret taking on the unfamiliar role of peacemaker, one must wonder what fallout will come for three of the most successful Superstars in WWE.

With the victory, meanwhile, “The Hounds of Justice” not only extended their impressive streak as a unit, but also instilled even deeper distrust among three of their most persistent foes. Emboldened by a hugely successful debut at The Birthplace of the Immortals, where will the nefarious Shield go from here?

Elimination Chamber Digitals || Elimination Chamber Screen Captures

Jack Swagger Becomes #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship
The self-professed “Real American” Jack Swagger made pre–Presidents Day fireworks in the brutal World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender’s Elimination Chamber Match. Swagger emerged victorious over five other former World Champions to earn the right to challenge Alberto Del Rio and headline WrestleMania 29!

Prior to the vicious battle, at least two people in the New Orleans Arena thought such an outcome was a foregone conclusion. Swagger and “great American” Zeb Colter laid down the gauntlet, belittling the patriotism of the people of the Big Easy and the entire nation before claiming, in no uncertain terms, that the pay-per-view would serve as the starting point for the journey to “Jack Swagger’s America.” Colter said that his compatriot “… was going to set things straight inside the Chamber and win one for the ‘good guys.’ … We the people!”

As his elite competition began to join them in “The Belly of the Beast,” however, Swagger’s American Dream looked as if it might quickly descend into a Chamber nightmare.

Only one thing was for certain in such an unpredictable showdown: the rules. Two Superstars would begin the match, with their four opponents locked inside individual pods. Every four minutes, a pod would open, releasing another competitor into the fray. If anyone was defeated at any point during the match, they would be eliminated from the match by pinfall or submission. And the carnage wouldn’t stop until only one Superstar remained.

Royal Rumble Screen Captures

30-Man Royal Rumble Match
On New Year’s Eve, John Cena made a promise to himself and to the WWE Universe: After a disastrous 2012, the Cenation leader vowed to turn things around and make 2013 his year. Tonight, the 10-time WWE Champion took a big step in that direction, outlasting 29 other Superstars to win the Royal Rumble Match and earn a World Title opportunity against the champion of his choosing at WrestleMania 29 on April 7.

It was only fitting, perhaps, that the road to Cena’s big win began with the very Superstar to whom the Cenation leader made his now-prescient New Year’s toast, as Dolph Ziggler chose to enter the over-the-top-rope challenge at No. 1. But it was the emergence of the No. 2 entrant just 90 seconds later that sent the WWE Universe in Phoenix into a frenzy. When the familiar strands of “Break the Walls Down” blared and the lights went out, Chris Jericho made his shocking return to WWE.

With the crowd still on its feet and the entire mood of the night suddenly and irrevocably altered, the two Superstars circled each other inside the ring, and a rivalry that came to a head at SummerSlam was quickly renewed.

Jericho and Ziggler furiously traded blows until the ring filled up with other entering Superstars. As Ziggler, Jericho, Cody Rhodes and Kofi Kingston battled it out, Santino Marella made his way to the ring and looked for a moment to have eliminated everyone else in the ring. But all of the rumblers landed on the apron, not the floor. Despite striking Kofi with The Cobra, Santino would be the first elimination of the night, tossed over the ropes by Rhodes.

When the ring inevitably filled with competitors, Ziggler and Jericho fought as the match dictated, battling whomever stood in their way. Still, they both seemingly drifted back towards one another, always looking to settle their long-standing score.

Like Shawn Michaels and Rey Mysterio before him, “The Showoff” may have drawn an unlucky number, but with an abundance of talent on his side, Ziggler looked to make the best of a badly dealt hand, despite the fact that he seemingly found himself teetering on the ring apron constantly over the course of the melee.

One of the time-honored traditions that makes the Royal Rumble Match so unique is the guessing game that takes place in living rooms of WWE Universe members all over the world — which past Superstars will make their one-night return to enter the melee?

This year was certainly no different, as a number of beloved Superstars arrived back on the scene.

Orton’s Entry: #26
People Eliminated: Zack Ryder
Got Elimination By: Ryback
Time Elapsed: 13:52 (approximate)

Survivor Series Digitals || Survivor Series Screen Captures

Team Ziggler def. Team Foley
As the T-shirt says, it’s not showing off if you back it up. And Dolph Ziggler found himself vindicated, validated and ensconced in WWE history when he fulfilled his own prophecy, and stood tall as the sole survivor of his Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match in Indianapolis.

Backing it up isn’t always the easiest thing to do, however, even if you’re Dolph Ziggler. It didn’t look like things were going to go so great for The Showoff at first, as internal discord threatened to tear his squad apart before the 26th annual Survivor Series even started. His fortunes didn’t immediately improve after the opening bell, either. Trouble struck for Team Ziggler early on when last-minute addition David Otunga (replacing the injured Cody Rhodes) found himself subject to a multi-pronged onslaught from two of Team Foley’s aces, Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston and WWE Tag Team Champion Daniel Bryan.

A last-minute reversal by Otunga left Bryan down, though, and the Harvard Law grad summoned Damien Sandow from Ziggler’s ranks. The tag looked promising initially after Sandow floored Bryan with the Elbow of Disdain, but Bryan’s comeback left The Enlightened One so beaten down he actually attempted to leave the match. Kane was having none of it, though, retrieving Sandow mid-retreat and feeding “The Duke of Decency” to the submission technician. Kane tagged himself in to execute the Chokeslam that drew first blood for Team Foley.

Ziggler caught a break, though, after Team Foley nearly collapsed in on itself following Sandow’s elimination. Team Hell No quickly dissolved into their trademark bickering, with Kane going so far as to toss Bryan from the ring. The Showoff capitalized on The Big Red Monster’s preoccupation, hitting Kane with the Zig Zag to send the demon packing. The Miz and Randy Orton nearly came to blows as well, but The Hardcore Legend’s team eventually closed ranks when Kofi sent Ziggler tumbling through the air with a textbook monkey flip, boosting morale considerably for the mismatched fan favorites.

Bryan and Barrett tagged in next, and although the brawling Englishman softened the “No!” man up nicely, Otunga proved unable to capitalize. He was promptly wrenched into the “No!” Lock, submitting to Bryan’s patented hold and bringing the score to 2-1 in favor of Team Foley. Alberto Del Rio attempted to pick up the pieces, but was quickly tossed over the ropes by Bryan. The submission expert tagged in Kofi, but “The Wildcat” was sent to the showers when Del Rio called up Barrett. The Englishman made quick work of the Intercontinental Champion, felling Kofi with the 1-2 combo of the Winds of Change and the thunderous Bull Hammer elbow.

Next up was Randy Orton, who went toe-to-toe with his former Survivor Series counterpart (the two were team captains at last year’s fall classic). When Orton’s attempt to tag in The Miz was unceremoniously rebuked by The Awesome One, Bryan stepped in to resume the attack. A flurry of offense by the WWE Tag Team Champion was cut short when Barrett booted Bryan from the ring and tagged in Del Rio. Amazingly, The Mexican Aristocrat would escape the “No!” Lock and force Bryan to submit to the Cross Armbreaker, giving Team Ziggler the advantage for the first time in the contest.
Orton gave Del Rio a taste of his own medicine, stomping on The Mexican Aristocrat’s arm with great prejudice in an imitation of Del Rio’s own time-honored strategy. The master soon showed the crowd how it was done, going to town on Orton’s arm and summoning Ziggler to finish The Viper off. The Showoff proved unsuccessful, though, and was forced to call Barrett to finish what he started.

If only Orton hadn’t reached Miz first.

The Awesome One stormed into the contest and would not be denied, giving Team Foley some breathing room when he eliminated Barrett with the Skull-Crushing Finale, thereby evening the playing field once more. Miz’s heroics were short-lived, though, after Del Rio tipped the scales back in The Showoff’s favor by stunning Miz with an enzuigiri and planting The Awesome One on the mat for the three-count.

The Viper stood alone. And this, of course, is how Orton operates best.

Free of the teammates he never wanted much to do with, Orton laid waste to both Ziggler and Del Rio. Ricardo Rodriguez saved his boss’s skin, though, when he distracted The Viper on the apron (He later paid dearly when Foley applied Mr. Socko to the beleaguered announcer at ringside). The Showoff’s attempt at teamwork fell short as well when a dropkick he meant for Orton instead struck Del Rio. Orton sealed the deal by reversing the Cross Armbreaker into the RKO, sending Del Rio back to his (no doubt lavish) shower.

And then, there were two.

Orton was merciless in his unmanning of The Showoff, eluding the Zig Zag and felling Mr. Money in the Bank with a hanging DDT. Victory was an RKO away, but Orton had something more sinister on his mind: With Ziggler scrambling for his bearings, Orton retreated to the corner and set up for his patented punt to the head.

Ziggler, as it turned out, had a kick ready as well.

The Showoff sprang up and decked Orton with a bone-jarring superkick, putting Orton on his back and swarming the prone Viper to put the long, brutal contest to an end. Consider the series survived, and the show stolen.

Hell in a Cell Digitals || Hell in a Cell Screen Captures

Randy Orton def. Alberto Del Rio
There can only be one Apex Predator in WWE, and when the smoke cleared at Hell in a Cell, it was Randy Orton who sat atop the food chain after defeating Alberto Del Rio in a hotly anticipated grudge match that brought out the darkest and most vicious tendencies of both Superstars.

Del Rio had made much of his supposed supplanting of Orton atop the WWE food chain, mocking The Viper’s signature poses and referring to him as a “garden snake” en route to their showdown at Hell in a Cell. Orton had not seemed his typical, predatory self either as Hell in a Cell approached, suffering a loss to the resurgent Wade Barrett and coming up short when The Mexican Aristocrat sprung sneak attacks on the unsuspecting nine-time World Champion. For all of Del Rio’s history of bluster, it seemed like The Essence of Excellence did, in fact, have Randy Orton’s number.

Of course, appearances can be deceiving.

Orton was anything but de-fanged at Hell in a Cell, unleashing a venomous onslaught on Del Rio that, despite his best efforts, the opulent one-percenter was unable to withstand. Orton opened the match with just such an attack, hitting Del Rio with knees to the stomach and wasting no time taking the fight to the outside, smashing Del Rio’s face against the announce table and turnbuckle in a matter of seconds.

With an assist from Ricardo Rodriguez, however, Del Rio was able to revert to his time-honored game plan of targeting his opponent’s arm. In an attempt to soften The Viper up for the Cross Armbreaker, Del Rio strung Orton up in the ropes before applying a hanging, inverted version of the hold that left Orton writhing in pain on the mat.

As Del Rio’s assault continued, Orton attempted to reverse The Mexican Aristocrat’s momentum with a roll-up attempt, but Del Rio kicked out and went right back to work, wrenching Orton into a second, inverted version of the Cross Armbreaker. Del Rio’s insistence on using the entire five-count came back to haunt him, though, when Orton wriggled free and dropped Del Rio on the edge of the apron, gaining his momentum back and escaping from the Cross Armbreaker again before setting up for the hanging DDT.

Del Rio managed to escape, though, and ultimately took his mockery one step too far when he mimicked Orton’s signature taunt and attempted to execute an RKO on The Viper. Orton, however, would not be denied. The former World Champion, slightly hindered by Del Rio’s attacks to his arm, swung The Essence of Excellence into the hanging DDT, connecting this time and setting up a brutal barrage that seemed to turn the tide of the match in his favor … but Del Rio had one final, wicked trick up his sleeve.

While Orton set up for a top rope suplex, The Mexican Aristocrat tripped Orton and trapped his legs in the ropes, stomping on the chest of the inverted third-generation Superstar and covering him for a two-count. With his sternum and his arm compromised, Orton seemed down for the count when The Essence of Excellence applied the Cross Armbreaker yet again. But The Viper, showing his heart, writhed his way out of the hold and slithered back to the turnbuckle, where Del Rio went for his patented enzuigiri … and then, finally, The Viper struck, dodging the kick and catching Del Rio in a midair RKO, felling Del Rio and leaving him no delusions as to who exactly he’d been mocking, belittling and baiting all along:

His name is Randy Orton. And he is still The Apex Predator.

Night of Champions Digitals || Night of Champions Screen Captures

Randy Orton def. Dolph Ziggler
The intense rivalry between Randy Orton and Dolph Ziggler hit its breaking point at Night of Champions, as The Viper defeated Mr. Money in the Bank. While Orton vs. Ziggler was the only match in which a title wasn’t up for grabs at the pay-per-view, it thrilled the WWE Universe at the sold-out TD Garden and watching around the world.

First, mouthy manager Vickie Guerrero introduced Ziggler and ordered the WWE Universe to “stand up and show your respect for the future World Heavyweight Champion.” Then, Orton entered the ring with a fierce determination.

These bitter rivals quickly locked up, showing just how evenly matched they were. When Orton took the upper hand, Ziggler refused to back down. Orton hit a monstrous powerslam, but The Showoff countered, and soon after hit The Viper with a dropkick off the top rope.

Vickie watched from ringside, clutching Ziggler’s Money in the Bank briefcase, and cheered him on as he dropped elbow after elbow on Orton. Then, in true Ziggler fashion, he showed off in the center of the ring, doing a handstand while punishing his opponent, keeping his head and neck locked up. Mr. Money in the Bank tried to wear down The Apex Predator, but Orton twice got to his feet, proving just how powerful he is.

The rivals’ match turned into a brawl, as the fight moved outside of the ring. Orton hit Ziggler with a DDT off the barricade and then beat the official’s 10-count back into the ring, dragging a dazed Ziggler with him. Orton went for the pin, but the clever Ziggler kept a foot on the ropes. The Viper coiled for the RKO, but Ziggler countered. When it appeared the bleached blond Superstar had the Sleeper Hold locked in en route to victory, Orton lifted his opponent into the air and finally hit him with a devastating RKO for the victory.

With near-fall after near-fall, it was obvious that Orton and Ziggler were evenly matched. The Showoff proved why he’s one of the key up-and-comers in WWE, almost “stealing the show” as his tights read. But the nine-time World Champion used his experience and athleticism to outsmart and outshine the resident showoff at Night of Champions.

Over The Limit Digitals || Over The Limit Screen Captures

Sheamus (c) def. Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, and Alberto Del Rio
In what was his greatest challenge as champion to date, Sheamus stood up to seemingly insurmountable odds in a brutal Fatal 4-Way Match on his way to retaining the World Heavyweight Title. It was certainly no easy feat, squaring off with three former multi-time World Champions – Alberto Del Rio, Chris Jericho and Randy Orton – but The Celtic Warrior’s triumph cements his rightful place as one of WWE’s most dominant Superstars.

The way in which The Great White picked up the victory was undoubtedly impressive – after all, he only had a one in four chance of leaving Raleigh, N.C., victorious. Fatal 4-Way Matches are especially treacherous for the defending champion as they can lose the title even if they don’t submit or succumb to pinfall. With that in mind, The Celtic Warrior’s victory leaves the WWE Universe wondering who could possibly dethrone the World Heavyweight Champion, and what the future holds for his challengers at WWE Over the Limit.

After ring announcer Lilian Garcia made each Superstar’s introduction, the opening bell sounded and each of the four gladiators immediately sized each other up. Clearly, there was a sense of trepidation among them over who to strike first. The free-for-all nature of the Fatal 4-Way leaves each competitor desperate to maintain momentum from the very beginning.

An all-out brawl erupted and Sheamus and Orton focused their attacks on Del Rio and Jericho, quickly removing them from the squared circle. The WWE Universe inside the PNC Arena rose to their feet at The Viper and The Great White sized each other up, ready to strike. The crowd waited with baited breath as the two Superstars taunted each other, only to be stopped by a returning Jericho and Del Rio.

Extreme Rules Digitals || Extreme Rules Screen Captures

The rules of this contest were designed to be simple, yet brutal. Pinfalls and submissions could be counted anywhere inside the arena, leaving both Superstars to their devices. Orton had vowed to show Kane how sick and twisted he could get and did just that.

It didn’t take long for things to get extreme, as Kane grabbed a lead pipe, setting off a brawl that saw the Superstars batter each other with all sorts of objects as they went out into the WWE Universe and backstage.

The match at Extreme Rules seemed to be the only way to settle things between the two. After Kane’s victory over The Viper at WrestleMania XXVIII, matters between the two Superstars intensified. Orton survived a vicious steel chair attack by Kane, defeating him in a No Disqualification Match on SmackDown. That same chair served as the tool to seal Kane’s end on pay-per-view.

The Big Red Monster took things to an extremely personal level soon after, attacking the father of The Viper, WWE Hall of Famer Cowboy Bob Orton, with a lead pipe on SuperSmackDown Live.

WWE’s Apex Predator tried to retaliate several weeks later on Raw SuperShow by locking Kane’s father, Paul Bearer, in a freezer. The Big Red Monster, however, could not have cared less, as he removed Bearer from the chilly enclosure for a spell, then putting him back on ice. The coldest blow, however, would come at Extreme Rules.

The end of this cruel contest brings the rivalry between Orton and Kane full-circle. During a Street Fight last summer on SmackDown, it was also a chair-assisted RKO that felled the giant. On that evening, Kane shook the hand of The Viper, a rare show of respect that sent The Devil’s Favorite Demon on a journey to shed himself of any humanity. Since returning to SmackDown, Kane has set his sights on Orton, aiming to exercise any trace of decency left in his demonic body.

In his continuing effort to make hatred the prevailing emotion in WWE, Kane targeted Orton, trying to bring out the real Viper and make him an instrument of destruction. The Big Red Monster may have succeeded, but unfortunately, Orton set out to destroy Kane.

At Extreme Rules, there was neither respect nor humanity between the two Superstars, just animosity. When all was said and done, it was Randy Orton who walked away from the carnage.

Wrestlemania XXVIII Digitals || Wrestlemania XXVIII Screen Captures

MIAMI – Randy Orton came to South Beach looking to sink his venomous fangs into Kane, however The Big Red Monster proved once and for all that his demonic soul is devoid of any humanity, claiming victory over WWE’s Apex Predator on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

This epic clash between two of the most explosive and unpredictable Superstars of all time dates back to an intense Street Fight between the former World Champions on a summer evening last July on SmackDown. Following the contest, the victorious Orton shook Kane’s hand, showing his respect for the WWE veteran. However, at The Show of Shows there was little respect between the two ring warriors as they waged war inside Sun Life Stadium, each immediately trying to build momentum from the moment the opening bell rang.

The Viper wasted no time unleashing a flurry of punches against The Big Red Monster. But Kane’s sheer size and power allowed him to counter Orton’s offense. The two Superstars battled back and forth, trading blows, Kane using his raw power to his advantage while The Viper remained relentless. As the momentum shifted back and forth, both ring warriors sought out the perfect strategy, both mixing their technical skills with their all-out brawling abilities.

As far as The Show of Shows is concerned, WWE’s Apex Predator walked into Sun Life Stadium with victories in his last two consecutive WrestleMania contests. In contrast, the bout in Miami marked Kane’s first WrestleMania singles match since defeating Chavo Guerrero in 8 seconds at WrestleMania XXIV. The WWE Universe could debate back and forth for hours on Facebook and Twitter about whether Orton or Kane had more to prove, but at The Showcase of the Immortals, the ring warriors knew they had to lay everything on the line.

Neither Superstar could capture enough momentum to maintain an advantage over their opponent. The Viper kicked out of a massive chokeslam, only to have another RKO attempt reversed. WWE’sApex Predator knew he would have to do something unprecedented to stop The Big Red Monster. As Orton set Kane up for an RKO off the top rope, Kane grabbed The Viper by the throat and chokeslammed him.

The animosity between The Viper and The Big Red Monster built for weeks before Kane finally revealed the root of his deep-seeded hatred towards Orton. It was that moment when The Devil’s Favorite Demon vowed revenge and promised to decimate WWE’s Apex Predator at WrestleManiaXXVIII. Saying Kane decimated Orton is a hard pill to swallow after witnessing their collision in Miami.

When the dust settled, The Big Red Monster did not reciprocate a show of respect after defeating The Viper. Instead, The Devil’s Favorite Demon left his opponent motionless in the center of the ring, showing the WWE Universe that he truly has become the most dangerous he has ever been.

Royal Rumble Digitals || Royal Rumble Screen Captures

WWE fans are going to see a fight at this year’s WrestleMania.

Using his brute strength to triumph over 29 other Superstars, the mighty Sheamus was victorious in the Royal Rumble Match, dumping Chris Jericho to earn a World Title opportunity against a champion of his choosing at WrestleMania XXVII on April 1.

It was a grueling battle for the powerhouse who drew No. 22. Entering before a sold-out crowd that had already witnessed Ricardo Rodriguez rolling to the ring in an ’85 Datsun, Kofi Kingston walking on his hands to avoid elimination and Michael Cole jumping over the top rope to escape the wrath of Kharma, The Celtic Warrior immediately made his presence felt by launching Kingston out of the ring.

From there, the Rumble became a demolition derby of battered bodies and unpredictable arrivals. Booker T, Jerry “The King” Lawler and Michael Cole all left the broadcast booth at one point to try their luck in the bout, but were quickly sent back to their announce table with damaged egos. Old school fan favorites like Mick Foley, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and Road Dogg returned to rousing ovations — only to be chucked from the squared circle by dangerous upstarts like Cody Rhodes, Dolph Ziggler and Wade Barrett. Big Show, twice a runner-up in the Rumble, made a huge impact from the 30 spot, tossing Jack Swagger, Rhodes, The Miz and Ziggler in rapid succession.

When the Royal Rumble Match came down to the all-important final four, it was Big Show, Sheamus, Chris Jericho and Randy Orton left standing in the ring. Quickly, though, the 30-man melee was left to two men as The Viper heaved The World’s Largest Athlete only to be immediately eliminated by Jericho.

WWE fans, knowing they would see a first time Royal Rumble Match winner tonight, began to shake the Scottrade Center as Y2J and The Great White waged a dramatic battle for supremacy. When Jericho sent Sheamus over the top rope, the big man hung on and came right back. When The Celtic Warrior dismissed his opponent, Jericho would find a way to return.

The back-and-forth brawl pushed both men to their physical limit before the nefarious Superstar made the mistake of going for his patened Codebreaker. Snatching Jericho in midair, Sheamus deposited the man who promised “the end of the world” over the top rope and then blasted him with The Brogue Kick to make sure he was gone for good.

It was an important victory for the SmackDown Superstar. A year ago, The Celtic Warrior’s WrestleMania XXVI bout against Daniel Bryan was bumped from the card at the last minute. This year, he’ll be competing for a World Title. Don’t expect The Great White to let this opportunity slip through his fingers.

Randy’s Rumble Results:
-Entered in at #28
-Eliminations: Jey Uso (#24), Wade Barrett (#26), Big Show (#30)
-Eliminated By: Chris Jericho (#29)
-Time Lasted in the Rumble: 5:47

TLC Digitals || TLC Screen Captures

Randy Orton def. Wade Barrett
At least after WWE TLC, Wade Barrett’s only Christmas wish may be a rematch against WWE’s Apex Predator. The “Barrett Barrage” was unable to withstand the sting of The Viper’s venom in a Tables Match as Randy Orton dropped Wade Barrett through the pine with a jaw-dropping mid-air RKO.

The Tables Match was the perfect place for these competitors to settle the score and for The Viper to come uncoiled. In an environment that allows underhanded tactics, one of the Superstars could only earn victory in a very specific way, and no matter how fast the flurry of The “Barrett Barrage” came through, he couldn’t put Orton through a table.

One year ago when Orton was WWE Champion, Barrett and The Viper squared-off at WWE Bragging Rights and again at Survivor Series for the title. However, the British grappler may have been more concerned with humiliating John Cena at the time and ultimately underestimated WWE’s Apex Predator. Tonight, inside the 1st Mariner Arena, Wade Barrett’s sole focus was on the third-generation Superstar, but he still couldn’t conquer The Viper.

With an already sordid history between the two competitors, Barrett had built a fair share of momentum. After earning an underhanded victory against Orton on SmackDown, then leading Team Barrett to a triumph over Orton and his squad at Survivor Series, it seemed that momentum was clearly in favor of the “Barrett Barrage.” However, the inside of Orton’s head is a twisted and dangerous place, and it seemed that as Barrett stalked and taunted him over recent weeks, WWE’s Apex Predator simply became more enraged.

Battling in and out of the ring, there were a few moments where the WWE Universe held their breath, waiting for one of the Superstars to crash through a table. But as the action continued, Barrett proved his fighting spirit and toughness, but the unpredictability of Randy Orton proved to be too much. Perhaps it is that same unpredictability that gave WWE’s Apex Predator an edge. Barrett believed he was inside Orton’s head, but with each explosive blow dealt by the nine-time champion, it was clearly not the case.

That impulsive attitude and competitive style of the third-generation Superstar is what led to Barrett’s demise at WWE TLC. At any time and RKO can strike and be devastating, but the bare-knuckled brawler learned it can be much worse when a table is involved. As Barrett dove from the middle-rope, trying to put Orton through the table, The Viper rolled out of the way and caught the British Superstar with a mid-air RKO that split the table in two.